How to dust the digital cobwebs from your Sony Xperia 10 and 10 Plus

Doesn’t it feel great when you spring clean? Whether you’re throwing away old clothes, sorting through paperwork or getting the step ladder out to dust the corners of every room, decluttering really does instil a sense of inner harmony.

So why do we let our smartphones get so messy?

It’s a well-known fact the new Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus are packed full of Sony’s intelligent technologies. As well as having 3GB RAM combined with 64GB eMMC internal memory*, the new Sony handsets come equipped with a microSDXC port which can hold up to an extra 512GB of storage! But if you’re anything like us, you often find yourself snapping hundreds of pictures or downloading lots of apps until you can’t find the media that matters to you the most.

Luckily, we have pulled together a few simple tricks you can use to ensure your device feels as slick as it looks!

Back it up
Before you make any changes, take a few moments to back up your data so you don’t accidentally erase your favourite content. The Xperia 10 and 10 Plus are speedy handsets, but the more internal storage available the better the performance is.

When our phones get too cluttered, they can start to run a little slower and apps could be forced to close. This problem can be solved by simply transferring media files from the internal storage to an SD card or backing up your data to a Google Drive. To do this, head to your settings, tap System -> Advanced -> Back up. It’s also worth clearing your cache every month or so to free up storage space. This can be done in the History section of your web browser.

Delete unnecessary content
From the apps you used to order a takeaway just the once to videos in which you’re covering the camera lens, sifting through your media is the first logical step when it comes to decluttering your Xperia device. Take time to go through each form of media on your phone, from apps to music (and even your address book for contacts you just don’t need anymore).

To simplify the process, it might be worth tracking your phone usage to determine which apps you genuinely use. You can find data usage for both mobile and Wi-Fi in your settings. If you’re a bit of a hoarder and find yourself struggling to decide what to delete, just remember that you really don’t need all those photos of the dog you saw in the park last month!

Shot on Xperia XZ3

Customise the interface
The Android™ (Android is a trademark of Google LLC) interface is super intuitive and customisable. You can easily move your favourite applications around to a layout that suits you. We recommend keeping your Xperia home screen as clear as possible by removing all apps you don’t use on a daily basis. If you aren’t ready to delete it, try moving it to the app tray where everything is stored in alphabetical order!

As with the XZ3 before it, the Xperia 10 and 10 Plus come equipped with a handy function called Side sense. Unfamiliar with it? This clever UI (user interface) uses artificial intelligence (AI) to give you quick access to your favourite apps based on how frequently, when and where you use them!

You can even pick the apps yourself for a truly personalised experience. To make use of Side sense, simply double tap the edge of the display to make it appear!

Create folders
For those of you who really want to keep all your apps, trying organising them by creating folders. This will allow you to group similar apps together, such as social media, food delivery and video streaming services. Simply tap and hold your finger on an app and drag it over the app you want to group it with. Not feeling the folders? Try arranging your apps by colour for an aesthetically pleasing display.

Turn off push notifications
Notifications are incredibly useful but they can clutter our phones. Think about the notifications you really need and those you could happily live without. We all love a bit of celebrity gossip but you probably don’t need to be alerted every time an A-lister sends a Tweet!

Install system updates
Your Xperia 10 and 10 Plus come preloaded with the latest and greatest Android™ 9 Pie, but it’s still important to check for software updates to ensure you’re enjoying the latest features and functions, as well as correcting possible bugs. You will receive a notification when a new software update is available but you can always manually check this in your settings.

It’s worth noting that you need at least 500 MB of free internal memory to be able to update the software on your device.

Have you tried turning it off and on again?
A classic but important step to ensuring your smartphone runs as smoothly as possible – make sure you restart it regularly. Never switching it off may affect both the battery life and performance. By restarting your device, you’ll clear all the temporary files in the phone’s memory, making apps run much more smoothly!

Spring clean the screen
While you’re decluttering the inside of your phone, make sure you spring clean the exterior too. Dust particles can get into the ports and may affect your device’s overall performance, and no-one likes sticky fingerprints on their camera lens!

The best way to clean your Xperia 10 and 10 Plus is to use a micro-fibre cloth. Ensure your phone is turned off and not plugged in. Wipe away dirt from the front and back of the handset. Next, gently blow into the ports for the headphone jack and charging cable to clear out any dust that might have collected there and use a small brush around the SIM and memory card slot covers.

Et voila! Your Xperia handset looks and feels as good as it should! Now, why not scour the internet for a new wallpaper to fit the Xperia 10 and 10 Plus’s crystal clear 21:9 Full HD display?

*Firmware and preloaded applications take approximately 14.79GB of internal storage, with the remainder 49.21GB for user-selected content (such as music, pictures, movies, applications and their data). Measurement made at time of product announcement and may vary per market. Software updates may change the available internal storage.